UMass football safety Joe Colton steps into spotlight

UMass safety Joe Colton came on strong in place of the injured Christian Birt on Saturday against Ohio.Photo courtesy of UMass athletics.

AMHERST — Against Miami (Ohio), it was true freshman linebacker Kassan Messiah who stepped into the lineup for the University of Massachusetts football team and made a statement. Saturday against Ohio University, it was Joe Colton’s turn.

The true freshman safety, who walked on at UMass after playing at Xaverian Brothers High School in Westwood, racked up 12 tackles against the Bobcats in place of the injured Christian Birt.

“He’s a walk-on that has come in and done nothing but impress all of us since the time he’s been here,” safeties coach Ted Daisher said. “It’s a situation where he’s gotten the opportunity to play, and he’s made the most of it.”

The strong safety position has been somewhat of a revolving door for the Minutemen. Birt won the job over Ed Saint-Vil to begin the season, but missed the opener against Connecticut with a leg injury. Saint-Vil stepped in for a half before suffering a leg injury himself.

Colton split time with Birt in Week 2 against Indiana, then Birt returned with a vengeance against Michigan, returning an interception for a touchdown and making seven tackles.

But Birt was on the sidelines again against Ohio, and this time, Colton was ready to step in.

“It happens, guys get banged up. What we’re pleased with is that the guys that have come in have stepped in and done a good job,” Daisher said. “Sometimes injuries create depth. It bodes well for the future that we have these young guys stepping in.”

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Coach Charley Molnar has been impressed since day one with just about everything that Colton has done.

“When I look out there, I see Joe catching punts just about as well as our punt returners catch them. He throws, watching him throw a ball, he throws just about as well as any non-quarterback on the team can throw a ball. He’s a very, very good tackler. He’s on special teams, he’s blocking, making plays, doing all sorts of things. He’s just a football player,” Molnar said.

Colton might not be a walk-on for long, according to Molnar.

“There’s many factors that go into it: If you have any scholarships available, what year they are in school, how long they’ve been on the team, so some of those issues will come into play, and they certainly will with Joe,” Molnar said. “At the end of the day, sooner or later, if he keeps improving, he’ll earn himself financial aid.”

HEALING THE WOUNDED

Molnar said he was optimistic that three Minutemen starters who missed the team’s last two games will be back on the field against Western Michigan on Saturday.

Linebacker Greg Hilliard, who has been out with a shoulder injury, will see the doctor Tuesday to be further evaluated.

Safety Christian Birt is also questionable for Saturday because of a concussion.

Molnar also mentioned that reserve defensive lineman Daniel Maynes, who hasn’t played since Week 2 because of an injury to his abdomen, should return to the lineup.

SATURDAY’S GAME TO BE STREAMED ON MAC WEBSITE

Though ESPN3 did not pick up Saturday’s matchup with Western Michigan as part of its agreement with the Mid-American Conference, UMass fans can still watch the game online on the MAC’s website, www.mac-sports.com.

The video will be provided from the instant replay feed, with audio spliced in from Western Michigan’s radio broadcast.

MAC Assistant Commissioner for Media and Public Relations Ken Mather confirmed Monday that all games not picked up on ESPN3 will be streamed on the league’s website.